Cybercrimes are fast becoming a major roadblock in Africa’s digital transformation race. According to the International Crime Police Organisation’s (INTERPOL) Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2025 [PDF], the continent is exposed to a wide range of sophisticated cybercrimes. Notably among the prevalent threats in the region are online scams, ransomware attacks, business email compromise (BEC), and digital sextortion.

The fourth edition of INTERPOL’s report notes that online scams, including phishing, are the most common threat to the region, where countries like Egypt and Kenya recorded sharp spikes in scam-related incidents. Similarly, ransomware attacks are on the rise, with South Africa and Nigeria identified as hotspots where government agencies and utilities are bearing the heaviest impact. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, over 119,000 data breaches were recorded in Nigeria, according to cybersecurity firm Surfshark.

More to this worrying development, 16 billion login credentials tied to Facebook, Instagram, Google, and Apple accounts globally were recently leaked through a malware strain that infiltrates devices when users download corrupted files. Described as the largest breach in history, the incident is particularly alarming for developing regions where inadequate cybersecurity infrastructure leaves millions vulnerable.

“Breaches like this can cause serious damage in Africa and Asia, especially emerging economies like India, Brazil, Nigeria, and Indonesia,” Salman Waris, founder of UAE-based cybersecurity consultancy TechLegis, told Rest of World. “Since digital growth is rapid but security is lagging, the risk of fraud and cybercrime spikes for millions.”

According to INTERPOL’s deductions, part of what makes Africa highly susceptible to threats of this sort are weak legal frameworks, limited resources, and poor cross-border cooperation across the continent. To strengthen the region’s cybersecurity landscape, the report recommends consistent investments in digital literacy, stronger public-private partnerships,  and international cooperation geared toward securing the continent’s digital future.